Labelling sun protective clothing

What is the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) tag?

UPF tags are attached to sun protective clothing, hats and shade cloths. The tags are trade marked and carry a UPF or UPV rating. This helps consumers identify the best UV protective clothing, hats and shade cloth.

Garments with a UPF rating give consumers peace of mind and confidence. They can trust the sun protection provided by products displaying the tag. 

How do you label clothing with the sun protection tag?

Step 1. Test your product for sun protection

• Complete the UPF testing request form and send samples to ARPANSA for testing

• Fabric sample sizes of 1 m x 50 cm are preferred (20 cm x 30 cm is the minimum size)

• For garments and hats, one product is required

• We test the products in 7-10 business days

• You will receive your results of UV testing via a report

Step 2. Apply for a licence to use the sun protection trade mark

• Fill out the trade mark application form

• Gain approval to use the swing tags

Step 3. Order swing tags to label your products

• Once you have gained approval, you can order swing tags and start using them on your products

How much does it cost?

Fabrics and single-colour garments:

Hats and multi-component garments:

Prices are in Australian dollars. 
Australian companies pay the amount in the column that includes Australian GST.
Non-Australian companies pay the amount in the column that excludes Australian GST. 

Re-issue of test reports

If you require changes to a test report after it has been issued, a processing charge of $35 per report will apply.

How long will it take?

It takes an average of 10 working days for ARPANSA to test the samples and provide a result.

What standard do we test to?

We follow the the Australian Standard AS4399: 'Sun protective clothing - Evaluation and classification'. This standard is available from  Standards Australia.  

We are accredited by the National Association of Testing Authority (NATA).

What products use UPF ratings and swing tags? 

A range of clothing products use the UPF swing tag, including:

• workwear
• school wear
• outdoor wear 
• hats
• swimwear

Where do I send fabric for testing?

You can send your samples to:

UVR Services
ARPANSA
619 Lower Plenty Road
Yallambie VIC 3085
Australia

Case study

Jo runs an outdoor adventure chain on the far north coast of NSW and prides herself on importing quality garments. Jo wants to test samples from her overseas suppliers and undertakes the following steps:

• Jo tests 10 garments at a cost of $1,300
• Jo decides to import the highest performing garments so she can use UPF labels on the garment
• Jo applies for a licence at a cost of $390
• Jo orders 40,000 swing tags at a cost of $3,240
• Jo’s total out of pocket expense is $4,930 
• The total swing tag price per garment is approximately $1.23

How does the UPF rating system work?

In Australia, it’s usual for sun protective clothing to be sold with a UPF rating that shows how well a garment can protect a person from the sun. 

• A UPF rating of 15 allows 1/15th (6.7%) of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) to pass through. This blocks 93.3% of UV. 
• A UPF rating of 50 allows 1/50th (2%) of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) to pass through. This blocks 98% of UV.

For a person with very fair skin, UPF 15 may not provide all-day protection. This is why it may be important to look for clothing items with UPF of 50 or 50+. 

Sample UPF report

Explanatory notes for UPF reports 

More information 

To find out more about using ARPANSA swing tags visit our Sun Protection Trade Mark Information page.

To find out more about the standard for sun protective clothing visit our Australian and New Zealand sun protective clothing standard page.